Thread

The first case of COVID-19 can be traced to November 17 — I see people calling today COVID-19’s birthday. More accurately stated, this is COVID-19’s spillover birthday, the day the virus made the jump to humans. 1/

The CDC estimates that ¾ of new human diseases originate in animals. It is our destruction of the natural world and our abuse of animals that is accelerating the frequency of these spillover events, where pathogens make the jump from animals to humans. 2/

As humanity throws off the balance of natural ecosystems with habitat destruction, pollution, ocean acidification, climate change, loss of biodiversity and species extinction, we are increasing the frequency where viruses... 3/

... are either making the jump directly from wild species to humans or wild species are interacting with livestock and then making the jump to humans through our consumption of livestock. 4/

If you were to look at the weight of land mammals on Earth, 32% are human, 67% are livestock or domesticated pets, and just 1% are wild animals. 1%! When we steal all the natural resources for our needs & destroy the natural world, we throw off the balance of the ecosystem. 5/

A healthy ecosystem is one filled with biodiversity. If we continue on the path we are on, we will drive many of the species on this planet to extinction and eventually, we will destroy ourselves. 6/

If these subjects interest you, @OP_Society made a documentary about the sixth mass extinction of species called #RacingExtinction. It is heartbreaking and hopeful, and offers ideas for solutions. I hope you will take the time to watch it. Fin.

P.S. In case I wasn’t clear: As we destroy natural habitats, wild species are forced to either live in close proximity to humans, or, close proximity to livestock – or both.  This increases the number of opportunities for spillover events, where viruses make the jump into humans.